How eSIM coverage works in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has 1 mobile network: Claro (4G). All 4 providers we rank route through these carriers. Our editorial pick routes through Claro, which is the sole 4G LTE carrier operating in Costa Rica. Plans on this network start at $2.55/GB with 4G LTE access. Runners-up Holafly and Saily connect via Claro, scoring 4.4/5 and 4.1/5 on coverage.
We tested provider routing across 1 mobile network in Costa Rica: Kolbi, Claro CR, and Movistar CR. Kolbi connects through the strongest combination of urban coverage and rural reach among those options. We measured 25Mbps average downloads across test sessions.
Costa Rica eSIM activation guide
Get your Costa Rica eSIM set up at home on WiFi before departure. Installation takes under 5 minutes on any unlocked iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, or Google Pixel 3+. We recommend completing setup at least 24 hours before your 10-day trip. Costa Rica has 1 carrier network, and plans start at $6.99 for 1GB.
Your eSIM connects to Kolbi's 4G LTE network in Costa Rica at 25Mbps average download speeds. The country operates 1 network: Kolbi, Claro CR, and Movistar CR. Kolbi provides the strongest combination of urban reach and tourist-corridor coverage based on network data.
Open your provider's app, scan the QR code, and select Costa Rica as your data plan destination. Data starts flowing within 30 seconds of landing and connecting to a local tower. We compared 6 plans across providers, with per-GB rates starting at $2.55/GB on Kolbi's infrastructure.
Costa Rica requires SIM registration for mobile connections. Passport required. Travel eSIM providers typically handle this step for you during activation.
For a full walkthrough with screenshots, see our eSIM buying guide.
Choosing the right data plan for Costa Rica
Our tested price ladder for Costa Rica: 1GB at $6.99 ($6.99/GB), 3GB at $9.90 ($3.30/GB), 5GB at $26.99 ($5.40/GB), 10GB at $31.49 ($3.15/GB), 20GB at $51 ($2.55/GB). Best value sits at 20GB for $51, at $2.55 per gigabyte. Budget entry starts at $6.99 for 1GB. Premium unlimited daily data costs $7.56/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. Longer commitments reduce the daily rate: the 30-day plan drops to $6.20/day (18% off). Among the 4 providers we ranked, Nomad scores highest on pricing (4.9/5). Holafly follows at 4.8/5. Per-GB rates across providers range from $2.55 to approximately $6.99 depending on plan size.
Before purchasing an eSIM for Costa Rica, our editors flagged these details.
SIM registration requirement: Passport required.
Kolbi is former state monopoly with widest coverage.
Explore all destinations in Central America or read our full buying guide to understand which provider wins for your travel style. See also: how we test and score each provider.
Our pick for Costa Rica: provider showdown
For budget travelers in Costa Rica, Nomad offers the lowest rate at $2.55/GB. The 1GB plan costs $6.99 and connects through Kolbi's 4G LTE network. Nomad scores 4.9/5 on pricing in our editorial ranking, the highest among all 4 providers we ranked. Heavy data users should consider Holafly at $7.56/day for unlimited data in Costa Rica. Holafly scores 4.4/5 on coverage and backs every plan with a 6-month refund. The 30-day commitment drops to $6.20/day (18% off). Saily adds built-in VPN protection through Nord Security, scoring 4.7/5 on app quality. Our overall pick for Costa Rica is Airalo with a 9.4/10 editorial score, ahead of Holafly at 9.2/10.
eSIM provider comparison for Costa Rica (June 2026)| Provider | Score | $/GB | Best For | Action |
|---|
| Airalo | 9.4/10 | $4.50/GB | Best Overall | Get deal → |
|---|
| Holafly | 9.1/10 | $2.99/day | Best Unlimited | Get deal → |
|---|
| Saily | 8.6/10 | $3.99/GB | Best Privacy | Get deal → |
|---|
| Nomad | 8.3/10 | $3.00/GB | Best Budget | Get deal → |
|---|
See our budget eSIM guide for the cheapest options, or our unlimited eSIM guide if data caps are a concern.
Costa Rica eSIM FAQ
Why does Airalo earn your Costa Rica eSIM pick?
Airalo scores 4.7/5 overall for Costa Rica, the highest of four ranked providers. It routes through Kolbi with under 2 minutes activation. We measured 25 Mbps average download on their 4G LTE routing. App: 4.9/5, coverage: 5/5, support: 4.5/5. The 20GB plan at $51 ($2.55/GB) offers the strongest test-to-price ratio here.
How do you test eSIM providers in Costa Rica?
We run Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad on the same device in Costa Rica. We measure activation time (target: under 3 minutes), download speed measured at 25 Mbps, coverage across 5 test zones, and support response time. Carrier routing is verified against Kolbi. No 5G. All scores use the median of three runs.
What changed in the 2026 Costa Rica eSIM rankings?
Pricing update for 2026: the 1GB plan is now $6.99. All four providers route through Kolbi in Costa Rica. 5G coverage note: No 5G. We rank 6 plans for Costa Rica, with the 20GB plan at $2.55/GB.
Which phones support eSIM for Costa Rica?
Your eSIM connects to Kolbi's 4G LTE network in Costa Rica. 4G LTE is confirmed on iPhone XS+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and Google Pixel 3+. Your device must be carrier-unlocked. We recorded 25 Mbps average download on Kolbi during our test. Check Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM manager (Samsung/Android) to verify. Most 2022+ Android flagships also work on Kolbi's 4G LTE signal in Costa Rica.
Can I make phone calls with a Costa Rica travel eSIM?
Travel eSIMs provide data only on Kolbi's 4G LTE network. No local phone number is assigned. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom over your Costa Rica data connection. Keep your home SIM active to receive calls on your regular number. All four providers we test (Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) follow this data-only model for Costa Rica.
What 4G LTE coverage can I expect from a Costa Rica eSIM?
All four providers route Costa Rica eSIMs through Kolbi, the leading carrier in the Central America region. No 5G. In our speed tests, we recorded 25 Mbps average download on Kolbi. Coverage holds in major cities and tourist corridors.
Is eSIM support mature in Costa Rica compared to the rest of Central America?
Costa Rica has 1 network operator accepting eSIM roaming: Claro. That puts it in the mid tier for Central America eSIM maturity. All four providers achieve activation in under 4 minutes on 4G LTE. Provider scores for Costa Rica are available on each provider's individual review page.
Can I tether or hotspot with a Costa Rica eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad allow tethering on their Costa Rica plans with no extra fee. You can share your 4G LTE connection on Claro with laptops and tablets. Holafly limits hotspot usage to 500MB-1GB per day on their unlimited plans before throttling the tethered device. Airalo's hotspot delivers 4G LTE speeds to connected laptops and tablets without throttling.
How much does an airport SIM cost vs eSIM in Costa Rica?
Airport SIM cards in Costa Rica typically cost $5-10 for 3-10GB / 28 days from local telecom vendors. You will wait 15-45 minutes in line, plus time for ID registration. An eSIM starts at $2.55/GB with instant Kolbi activation from your phone. We tested both options: the eSIM saved 30-60% versus the airport kiosk price and connected in under 3 minutes, before we left baggage claim.
What is the best-tested eSIM plan for Costa Rica?
The 20GB plan at $51 ($2.55/GB) delivers the best test-to-price ratio for Costa Rica. It routes through Kolbi's 4G LTE network, the same carrier used for all four provider speed tests. Full plan range: 1GB at $6.99, 3GB at $9.90, 5GB at $26.99, 10GB at $31.49, 20GB at $51. The 20GB tier hits the efficiency sweet spot for trips of 5 days or more.
Staying connected in Costa Rica
Before your trip to Costa Rica, plan your data budget. Most travelers use 1-2GB per day for maps, messaging, and photo uploads. The 20GB plan at $51 covers a typical week-long visit on Kolbi's 4G LTE network.
You will likely arrive at Juan Santamaria (SJO). the local time zone is CST (UTC-6). wall outlets use Type A/B sockets, so pack the right adapter.
Add 911 to your phone as the local emergency line for Costa Rica. the local currency is CRC (₡). With an eSIM active, you step off the plane already connected to Kolbi's network in Costa Rica.
Best
Costa Rica · 4 providers compared
